Havelis of Mandawa and Fatehpur: A Mural Symphony from Rajasthan

Our tryst with Havelis started when, inadvertently, we reached Mandawa on our way to Bikaner. Mandawa is a part of Shekhawati region of Rajasthan which is recognized as the Open-Air Art Gallery of The World due to the largest concentration of the frescos in this region.

Art on the wall!

The grand Havelis of this region are adorned with murals, intricate artwork, paintings inspired by a mix of Rajput-Mughal-British Architectures, however; truly representing enterprising and entrepreneurial spirit of trader community of the India and specially Rajasthan. The Shekhawati region has produced large number of traders and merchants who are dominant factor in the economy of India since ages controlling major part of Indian Business.

Fresco Haveli Art of Rajasthan

On our road trip to Bikaner and Jaiselmer from Delhi, exploring Havelis was not at all in our plan. During the course of this self-drive road trip when we enter Rajasthan it was, however, just not possible to miss these lavish mansions and that’s what I like about the self drive road tripping as it gives freedom to explore places at will. The en-route presence of these grand and colorful havelis intrigued us to the core and we stopped involuntarily to appreciate these architectural marvels. The Havelis from Shekhawati regions are famous for their frescos depicting theological and historical themes. The colorful frescos on the wall of Havelis and temples depict images of gods, goddesses, animals, and the life of the Hindu gods profusely painted by the commissioned artists.

Our first stop was the fort town of Mandawa in Jhunjhunu District of Rajsthan located on National Highway 11. Once upon time, Mandawa was a trading outpost for the ancient caravan routes that stopped here from China and the Middle East to Delhi Sultanate and towards Ports of Gujarat. Due to this vantage position, merchants from Shekhawati known as Marwaris prospered and they built many grand Havelis as a show of their opulence making entire town of Mandawa looks like a big mural symphony.

Colorful Artwork!

Mandawa Town

Mandawa Haveli Built in 1890, now converted into Hotel.

Main Havelis of Mandawa:

Hanuman Prasad Goenka Haveli

Goenka Double Haveli

Murmuria Haveli

Jhunjhunwala Havel

Mohan Lal Saraf Havel

Gulab Rai Ladia Haveli

Aakharam ka Haveli

After leaving Mandawa and moving towards Bikaner, we reached Fatehpur which otherwise is a quaint town but home to some of the best kept Havelis of Shekhawati region. Fatehpur is also home to Nadine Le Prince Haveli Cultural Centre which was originally a haveli and converted & restored into Cultural Centre. This cultural centre is involved in restoring the Havelis and thus preserving unique heritage of Rajasthan.

Hanuman Prasad Navtia Haveli in Fatehpur

Grand entry gate of Bhartia Haveli in Fatehpur

One of the best kept Havelis!

A Live Mural Symphony!

Main Havelis of Fatehpur:

The Jagannath Singhania Haveli

Saraf Haveli

Sitaram Kedia Haveli

Hanuman Prasad Nevtia Haveli

Jwala Prasad Bhartia Haveli

Delicately painted, intricately carved, Havelis of Shekhawati are now the key tourist attractions of Rajasthan and stand tall as priceless pillars of Indian Heritage Treasure. Even after having withstood centuries, they still look gorgeous evoking emotions mixed with pride and awe and a bit of thrill.

Other than Mandawa and Fatehpur, Shekhawati region has other small towns known for Havelis Frescos specially Nawalgarh, Ramgarh, Dundlod, Mukundgarh which we will definitely cover in next road tripping to Rajasthan.

By the time we reached Bikaner in the evening, Havelis of Shekhawati Region had captured a unique positioning in our minds and certainly for every traveler, exploring Havelis in Rajasthan qualifies as a must to do.

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If you feel motivated, please share this blog post with your loved ones so that they can break the mundane cycle of everyday life and explore the world.

Wow, these are amazing. I’m always in awe of how much intricate detail is included in murals like these. Havelis in Rajasthan is on the list! And self drive is definitely one of the best modes of travel – I’m so glad you had the chance to stop off here even if it wasn’t originally in our plans 🙂

Comments from senior like you always motiavtes me.
This place in Rajssthan is really unique. So put it in your list for upcoming trip to India. And really look froward to meet you in person when you are in Delhi. 🙂